RF: I like to refer to our karting series as AAA level (in hockey terms) karting. We have some of the best karters in the country
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| We have some of the best karters in the country competing here in Ontario. (Photo: Russ Bond, RussBondAgency.com) |
competing here in Ontario. It started with an idea I had and started gaining momentum following a lunch meeting five years ago, with Tom Ryley of Sunoco. Tom helped me get started with Sunoco sponsorship back in 1988 with the Player's GM Series and he and I both felt there was a need to start developing a grass roots level program and karting was the natural choice. It went to the next level when I met with Paul Cooke. Paul is VP of Competition for ASN Canada FIA - the sanctioning body for motorsports in Canada - and he enthusiastically supported it and basically runs the series for us. I felt there was a need to provide a more professional, car racing-like environment for karting and as well, try to provide some much needed promotion for karting by leveraging a little of the notoriety that I have together with a number of enthusiastic corporate supporters. I think after nearly four seasons, we have made great
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Marco Di Leo and Matt Pritiko finished one-two in the Bridgestone Academy F2000 series. Both drivers are members of Sunoco's Team Ultra 94, and it is the third championship in a row for the Sunoco team. (Photo: Ed Gatner, RussBondAgency.com)
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progress in increasing the quality of karting in Ontario. It's not perfect, but it's improving each year. The other aspect has been the ability to utilize some of Sunoco's properties like the Bridgestone F2000 school at Mosport. They have a school series and each year since 2002, we have sent two or three talented drivers from our karting series to compete in the F2000 cars as Team Ultra 94. In year one; Matt Champagne was the champion and Jordy Vorrath was second. In year two; Frank Launi was champion with Jamie Holtom second. This year Marco Di Leo (last weekend), clinched the championship with Team Ultra 94 teammate Matt Pritiko second. It's a tremendous achievement for the drivers and I'm extremely proud of all of them. As always, finding opportunities for the talented and career-minded beyond karting and the entry level F2000 racing will require additional funding and hopefully we can continue to generate support for these talented Canadians.
